Thesis: By systematically delaying one’s annual state auto inspection, one can gain a "free" inspection in the seventh (7th) year of car ownership.
Equipment Used: One 1996 Toyota 4-Runner.
Duration of Experiment: Seven (7) years, including six (6) years of paid inspections and one (1) year’s “free” inspection.
Historical Data: Although the car was manufactured in 1996, the current owner did not acquire it until 1997, at which point the next inspection due date was April 1998.
Assumptions: The experiment assumes that the sticker given at the time of inspection reflects the current month, not the month of the actual inspection due date.
Process: The following table details inspection due dates for a period of seven (7) years as well as the actual dates the inspections were performed.
| Year | Due Date (as seen on sticker) | Actual Date of Inspection | Months Gained |
| 1998 | April 1998 | May 1998 | 1 |
| 1999 | May 1999 | July 1999 | 2 |
| 2000 | July 2000 | August 2000 | 2 |
| 2001 | August 2001 | November 2001 | 2 |
| 2002 | November 2002 | February 2003 | 3 |
| 2003 | February 2004 | April 2004 | 2 |
| 2004 | April 2005 | -- | -- |
| Total Months Gained: | 12 |
Summary: As of April 2004, which will mark approximately seven (7) years of car ownership, I will have realized a total savings of $27.00 (current cost of Emissions Testing in Texas).
Legal Notice: The results of the experiment are reproduced here solely for the scientific edification of the readership. Researchers emphasize the fact that a single ticket received for an expired sticker would outweigh (and thereby nullify) any financial benefits realized through the experiment. The creator of the experiment does not recommend that any reader try this experiment at home. Furthermore, the creator cannot be held liable in a court of law or any higher institute of justice for any damages ensuing from said experiment.
